A timeline of how homosexual activists have pressed their case to legitimize homosexual relationships as being legally and socially equal to traditional marriage.

Homosexual activist celebrates June 26 outside the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington.

– Win McNamee/Getty Images

WASHINGTON — The history of the battle over the definition of marriage is part of a larger movement to change laws and public opinion on homosexuality. The issue is complex because the wording of laws on marriage, the rules for amending the state constitutions, the various court precedents and the wording of proposed laws and amendments differ from state to state.

Those desiring to redefine marriage to include same-sex couples have focused their efforts on the courts and liberal-leaning legislatures, while the defenders of marriage as the union of one man and one woman have been most successful when the issue is put to the people through a referendum process.

In 1969, the Stonewall Riot in New York City sparked the “gay pride" movement.

In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association responded to pressure from homosexual militants who threatened to disrupt their national conference by removing homosexuality from its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders. According to Ronald Bayer, who supported the decision, “The result was not a conclusion based on an approximation of scientific truth as dictated by reason but was instead an action demanded by the ideological temper of the times.”

In 1981, the first cases of what would later be called AIDS were reported. Since then, more than 300,000 men who have had sex with men with AIDS have died. Homosexual activists used AIDS prevention programs to promote the “gay agenda” in schools.

In 1993, the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that the state’s prohibition of same-sex "marriages" amounted to discrimination on the basis of sex. In 1998, the people of Hawaii responded to the ruling by amending their state Constitution to authorize the Hawaii Legislature to enact a statutory ban on same-sex "marriage."

In 1996, concerned that other states would be forced to recognize same-sex "marriages" performed in Hawaii, the U.S. Congress passed the Federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which restricted federal marriage benefits and required inter-state marriage recognition to only opposite-sexmarriages. DOMA was signed into law by President Bill Clinton.

In 2000, Nevada and Nebraska passed referendums defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

In 2003, ruling in Lawrence v. Texas, the Supreme Court struck down laws against sodomy.

The Massachusetts Decision

In its 2003 Goodridge v. Department of Public Health decision, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court redefined marriage as “the exclusive and permanent commitment of marriage partners to one another” with no reference to the sex of the persons. The court recognized that their decision marked “a significant change in the definition of marriage,” but argued that their decision did not “undermine the institution of civil marriage,” since the plaintiffs “do not want marriage abolished.”

The concurring opinion in this case by Justice John Greaney spoke to those who disagreed with the decision: “Simple principles of decency dictate that we extend to the plaintiff, and to their new status, full acceptance, tolerance and respect. We should do so because it is the right thing to do.”

However, in the 10 years since the decision, Massachusetts has denied tolerance and respect to those who disagree with the decision. Catholic adoption agencies were closed because they would not place children with same-sex couples. Schools have pushed the “gay agenda” starting in kindergarten, and parents have been told they have no right to remove their children or present an alternate point of view. Plays promoting the “gay agenda” and ridiculing religion have been publicly funded and objections to them ignored.

In 2004, 13 states passed amendments to their state constitutions defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. This was followed by two states in 2005, eight states in 2006 and three states in 2008. North Carolina approved a state amendment in 2012, for a total of 31.

In 2008, the people of California approved Proposition 8, which declared: “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” In 2010, Proposition 8 was declared unconstitutional in the district court. This case was appealed and reached the Supreme Court in March of 2013, along with a challenge to DOMA.

After a string of successful referendum campaigns, in 2012, a referendum defending marriage failed to pass in Minnesota, after which the state Legislature passed a law redefining marriage. Today, 13 states have redefined marriage to include same-sex couples, either by court order or legislation. In several states, the legislation was subsequently approved by popular vote. In addition, seven states have approved some form of civil unions.

In April of 2012, the National Organization for Marriage, which is a leader in the movement to defend marriage as the union of one man and one woman, announced that a list of donors it had provided to the Internal Revenue Service had been obtained by the homosexual-rights group Human Rights Campaign and published. Disclosing confidential information from tax returns is a federal crime. Donors so identified reported being harassed, and spokesmen for NOM charged that the disclosure of donors had negatively affected contributions to their work.

The change in momentum may be linked to media bias. The Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism reviewed nearly 500 stories on marriage in January and February of 2013 and found that, by a 5-to-1 margin, they favored legalizing same-sex "marriage."

On June 26, 2013, the Supreme Court struck down DOMA and found that those defending Prop. 8 had no standing, effectively upholding the lower court ruling striking it down.

Comments

EB Jenkins, you’re right: “We need to join together in our parishes—clergy and laity and continue the fight for true justice!”

Sadly, as you can see from Lori Manette’s comments it’s the Bishops & Priests themselves and whole parishes that are thwarting pro-life and pro-marriage efforts etc.. What you’re seeing now is just aftermath. The Roman Catholic Church underwent a spiritual collapse a long time ago…the moral and economic collapse we’re now witnessing in America are just the symptoms of the much greater problem which is in the Church itself.

Have you seen the Bishops and Priests (aside from a few stragglers) organize and mobilize the millions of Catholics in America for 24/7 prayer vigils, fasting, penance, confession, perpetual adoration of Blessed Sacrament, daily Mass and Communion, stations of the cross or any of a multitude of acts of penance and reparation for this nation’s grave sins and for it’s repentance and conversion? NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!

What you do see is Bishops and priests publicly firing, silencing, humiliating those Catholics who do bear witness to authentic Catholic teaching. Priests are under the vow of obedience and any efforts within the parish to counter the sodomite juggernaut will eventually meet that barrier. The vast majority of Bishops have ordered their priests to stand down at best or to actively support the sodomite agenda at worst.

On a positive note, such widespread degeneration has always proven fertile ground for producing great saints and martyrs. So stay strong and persevere…just don’t expect much support from parish priests and diocesan bishops. We’ll have to rely on the few faithful here and there..but don’t forget Jesus Christ is with us as we carry our crosses and the Church Triumphant and the Church Suffering stand with us always—especially the Blessed Virgin Mary!

Posted by Blake on Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 5:12 PM (EDT):

Defending homosexual acts by quoting the bible is ridiculous. Jesus told the sinners to go and sin no more. Sodomy is a serious sin. We can’t judge others but we know God will judge us. We are called to evangelize and calling gay marriage ok is again ridiculous. It’s a free country. If you want to “love” a same sex person you are free to do so but don’t kid yourself when it comes to judgement day. Still not judging. Only Jesus will do so. Are you really confident about how He will judge homosexual actions? He is a merciful God. Go and sin no more.

Posted by Slava on Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 3:15 PM (EDT):

The part about how APA removed diagnosis is a total shite and lies as well as a statement that it was not based on science. And it is explained in the book written by mentioned in the article Ronald Bayer.

In fact, opponents of removing homosexuality from DSM LOST 3 times scientific debates(!) and THEN INITIATED having found a loophole infamous voting procedure which they lost as well. Such a disgrace.

Articles is full of other lies and distortion of historic facts

Posted by Julie T. on Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 1:49 PM (EDT):

Lori M, it is no secret that entire dissident parishes exist within the Catholic Church in the United States, but infidelity to the teachings given to us by Christ and His Church is *still* infidelity. Whether you are a lone dissident in your parish or one of many is immaterial. Here again are St. Augustine’s words for dissidents:

If you *believe* what you LIKE in the gospels, and *reject* what you DON’T LIKE, it is not the *gospel* you believe, but *yourself*.

You bring up the woman caught up in adultery. Did Jesus tell her to return to her home and let it go at that? You know perfectly well HE DID NOT let it go at that. Christ Jesus told her to SIN NO MORE. That was His CONSISTENT message to ALL sinners He encountered, regardless of what sin enslaved them.

Furthermore, Jesus tells ALL of His followers in Matthew 5:48: “You, therefore, must be PERFECT, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” This would be an astonishing command Jesus gives us, if not for the fact He gives us *everything we need to pursue obedience* to it: Himself in Holy Communion, the strength of the Holy Spirit, and, for times when we might stumble, the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This command to work toward perfection has a name: theosis.

The Apostles and first Christians understood theosis. It is *still* very much a part of Catholic doctrine, although I think Eastern Rite Catholics and Orthodox Christians understand it more readily than do most Latin Rite Catholics. It would be beneficial for ALL Catholics to read what the Church teaches about theosis and to think deeply on it. Christ’s command is clear: WE are to change. That runs counter to the dissidents’ demand that Christ’s Church must change.

He ALSO gave us the Divine definition of marriage in Matthew 19:3-12 and Mark 10:2-12. Are you REALLY prepared to contradict Christ Himself on this one? Are you really prepared to affirm YOU know better than the Son of God what is, and what is not, marriage? If so, it is not Christ you believe in, but yourself.

Posted by Phil on Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 1:22 PM (EDT):

The trolls are out today in full force!

Lori: Jesus forgave the adulterous woman and saved her from execution. Then he said—what? “Go and sin no more.” She had sinned; she had broken the Law. God shows His infinite mercy when we repent. When we refuse to acknowledge that some behaviors are sinful, immoral, and repugnant to God then that forgiveness is unavailable. Do you understand now the difference between what you said above and what the Church has taught for 2000 years?

Doug: Lighten up, sparky.

Posted by Doug M on Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 12:08 PM (EDT):

Christians want to war. There God is Yaweh, an ancient tribal war god.—-When I left Catholicism - it was peaceful.—-In the last year - I have learned - there are no Christians. Therefore- bring on the culture war.—- and because of the witness of mostly catholics - i will never accept the church. I was a seminarian for 4 years- even at the FSSP- and I never imagined I would be so angry with the Catholic people. But I am. You people are among the worst I’ve ever experienced.

Posted by Lori Mannette on Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 11:53 AM (EDT):

You guys. Seriously. The attitude here is the problem. Telling me I’m not “good” enough or I don’t know enough is tremendously unhelpful. I am a Catholic. I was Baptized, took First Communion, went to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School in Raleigh, NC from grade 2-7. Confirmed at St. Catherine’s church in Wake Forest where I also served as a choir member and youth group leader. At UNC-Chapel Hill, I was extremely active at the Newman Center, using my spring breaks to go on service trips. And, yes, I am very involved in my church to this day. You have my full name. Please feel free to check records.

Jesus was a loving person. He called Zacchaeus down from the tree, even though all thought he was unworthy. He dined with prostitutes, with tax collectors, with lepers. Let’s replace “homosexual” with “prostitute” and “AIDS” with “leprocy.” Does that picture start making more sense? He wouldn’t let people stone a woman convicted of adultery. Pretty much every time he was confronted with a “sexual sinner,” He treated that person as an equal.

He had no patience for the constant questions about rules and commandments to live by. When pressed, he simply offered “LOVE! Love God as you love your neighbor as you love yourself.” THAT was his response to questions about rules of conduct. THAT is the best advice we can follow as Christians and Catholics. Jesus did not come to call the righteous. He had no patience for the Pharisees. He didn’t shout, he didn’t insist that people listen, he didn’t even claim to have all the answers. He radiated love. Perhaps we should all strive to do a better job of that.

Lori Mannette, thank you for your honesty…you are a perfect example of up to 98% of “Catholic” America. America is definitely looking more and more like what you believe it can be. As for you thinking more and more everyday about leaving the Church? Well, you left the Church a long time ago along with most of America’s “Catholics” and you don’t even know it.

2 Thes 2:11 - “Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false…”

Posted by Anony on Wednesday, Jun 26, 2013 10:30 PM (EDT):

Lori, first of all I doubt you’re a Catholic. Secondly, your faith is a faith of hairy fairy flowery love where any restriction on what you desire is “mean spirited”. I don’t see what is so pure and natural about men having anal sex with each other. I also don’t see what’s so nice about women sleeping around like alley cats and then disposing of their unwanted child by grinding it up and throwiing it out.

You have no idea what the Lord wants. You might want ot read The Didache to see what the Apostles had to say about abortion, same sex marriage, artificial contraception, etc. They walked the Earth with Christ. But then again, I’m sure you know better than them.

Posted by Doug M on Wednesday, Jun 26, 2013 10:02 PM (EDT):

You people! ———You don’t support anything outside of the church. You’re tyrants… and God’s gift of free will means absolutely nothing to any of you.—Shame on you. You’re not doing God’s will by letting human freedom be civilly codified.—So go back to your pews and beat on your hearts and tell God how glad you are to not be a——-... so that way the rest of us have the opportunity to ignore you and throw ourselves at mercy’s feet and say “Here I am, a sinner”———Brood of vipers.

Posted by Julie T. on Wednesday, Jun 26, 2013 9:29 PM (EDT):

Lori M, you wrote, “I know my Lord and what he would want for this great nation…Your article is further proof of how removed the Church is from the true faith, from my faith, from me. I suppose you will think that it’s a good thing that a gay-loving, pro-choicer like myself feels pushed out of the faith.” The dissident attitudes and hubris you demonstrate in your statements, replete with *I*, *me*, and *myself*, are not anything new to the Church founded by Jesus Christ. It is obvious the Apostles were well-acquainted with dissidents as one reads the books of the New Testament. It is obvious from the writings of our saints they, too, were familiar with pride-filled rebels. St. Augustine made this succinct evaluation of dissidents’ claim to belief: “If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don’t like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.”

Eric C., May God bless you and grant you an abundance of His grace and peace. Thank you for sharing your witness.

Posted by Michael Marshall on Wednesday, Jun 26, 2013 8:55 PM (EDT):

It is very sad day when marriage has been redefined as just a loving relationship between two people reguardless of the genders involved. God established marriage, not just for love only, but for the continuation of the human species. The GLBT backers and group are so far off on this fact that it isn’t not only very scary but destructive at the same time. Nothing is safe anymore where is this going to end.

Posted by Aileen on Wednesday, Jun 26, 2013 8:19 PM (EDT):

After reading many of these comments I am re-reminded as to why I have no regrets in leaving religion behind. These are some of the most judgmental, segregating, and close-minded statements I’ve read in a while. I am very happy for my friends in the gay community who are now married with the person they love. I am happy that they are another step closer to being accepted for who they are in their communities. No I do not think that this ruling should impose on the church, or its definition of marriage. That is for them to decide (hence separation of church and state). Yes I still love my Catholic family and other Christian friends even though I cannot agree with them on this topic. After all, love is what will truly make this world a better place is it not?

Posted by mary hill on Wednesday, Jun 26, 2013 7:09 PM (EDT):

Dear Lori, I am pro-choice for the pre-born child’s choice. The preborn child is choosing to be born, witness her/his heart beating and arms and legs flailing. The child chooses life. Wendy Davis didn’t filibuster for the rights of women. She filibustered against 3 laws that will prevent Kermit Gosnel murderers from flushing born-alive babies down the toilet and severing their spinal cords with scissors and killing their mothers by medical negligence. To paraphrase Pope Francis, a defenseless child has a right to life! and we the living must protect that right.

Posted by EB Jenkins on Wednesday, Jun 26, 2013 5:16 PM (EDT):

I am literally emotionally ill over the Supreme Court decision. The liberal media together along with the entertainment industry and the militant gay agenda have all banned together to bring this about. They are incredibly powerful and today their power has shown us our future. I have lost all hope and that is a bad place to be. Our young people have been so incredibly influenced by all of the above mentioned entities especially TV and films which push the gay agenda constantly. And then you have the percentage of Americans including many “liberal” Catholics who are more worried about political correctness than they are in their faith in Jesus Christ. And let us not forget the public and many private school educators who believe this is akin to the civil rights movement of the 60s and it is about constitutional rights! It is sickening to think what is going to continue to evolve from all of this. The true definition of marriage is being destroyed before our very eyes and our children will pay the price dearly. They will be taught sex between same sex couples is normal, healthy and to be honored. They will learn having parents of the same sex is no different than having a mother and father of the opposite sex. They will learn that sexual relations between same sex couples is normal and healthy and they will be taught what that entails. And the list goes on! Those of us who will have our religious freedom taken a way will just watch in horror as we are demonized as homophobes and hate mongers. How ironic that those who claim they are fighting for their constitutional rights are trying so hard to strip a huge portion of the American population of their rights which includes the very precious right on how to raise our own children. God help us! But we need to do more than pray about this!! We have to become pro-active with whatever, money, time, or talent we are capable of sharing. We need to join together in our parishes—clergy and laity and continue the fight for true justice!

Posted by Judith Ceballos on Wednesday, Jun 26, 2013 5:15 PM (EDT):

From Christopher West’s “Theology of the Body for Biginners” ..human sexual union isn’t mereley a biological reality. It’s alo a spiritual and theological relity…as the Catechism states, “In marriage, the physical intimacy of the spouses becomes a sign and pledge of spiritual communion” (CCC,n. 2360).Becoming “one flesh,” therefore, refers not only to the joining of two bodies…but is “a sacramental” expression which corresponds to the communion of persons”..The Human body makes visible the invisible mystery of God who himself is an enternal Communion of Persons; of God who himself is love…But John Paul II takes it a step further when he states:“Man becomes the image of God not so much in the moment of solitude as in the moment of communion”...If we could take in this one truth and reflect on it, we would never view sex the same way agian.” Despite all the distortions from the evil one to God’s original plan there is still hope because Christ came to this world not to condem but to set us free.and we know the end of the Story! Mary mother of God Pray for us.

Posted by Lori Mannette on Wednesday, Jun 26, 2013 4:37 PM (EDT):

It’s amazing to me that anyone would have the confidence to tell me that I “cannot be a Catholic.” No, I do not support all of the church’s current standings. That doesn’t make me a bad Catholic or a non-Catholic. It makes me an ACTIVE Catholic, who is constantly engaged in my faith and with my God and presenting MY determinations, the answers I have received in prayer as being things I hold true. Joan of Arc did the same.

Jesus never told anyone they were not welcome. Not anyone. Not ever. So please have the same courtesy towards me.

Posted by Erick C. on Wednesday, Jun 26, 2013 4:29 PM (EDT):

The Catholic Church has protected the family and the dignity of life for years, and we must continue to do the same. If same-sex “marriage” is imposed by the government than the government is saying marriage is nothing more than a piece of paper with no meaning other than having sexual attraction to someone. The Sexual “Revolution” has lead to an increase in contraception and abortion only to lead to an increase in date rape, divorce, marital affairs, fornification, and a devastating increase in single moms raising children without a father. Gay “marriage” would only add more consequences to the ones we are already suffering in America. While the liberal media celebrates their hostility of marriage defenders, I would like to remind them that all evils lead to more consequences, and will only confuse children about what marriage and sex are meant for: procreation and the conjugal relationship between a man & woman. By the way I have SSA and PROUD to support the REAL meaning of marriage, and I prefer the Lord over any worldly pleasure-seeking every step of the way!

Posted by eddie too on Wednesday, Jun 26, 2013 4:20 PM (EDT):

why would someone leaving an organization that teaches the opposite of what the person believes break that person’s heart? sounds like the dilemma of a very confused person. it is best not to take the words of a person who is obviously and significantly confused too seriously.

Posted by hhohn on Wednesday, Jun 26, 2013 4:17 PM (EDT):

Read the Catechism and see how wrong you are about what true Catholics believe. The Church has stayed the same in its morals and principles. You have strayed from what was taught by Jesus to the disciples and handed down to us.

Today is truly a sorrowful day. I will pray for your conversion.

Posted by lynn wheton on Wednesday, Jun 26, 2013 4:14 PM (EDT):

Sorry, Lori M, you can’t be catholic and prochoice, Your “prochoice” opinion is in direct conflict of what our church teaches…The protection of life from conception to natural death, period. As far as today’s rulings, I am 150 percent heartbroken….SO the WILL and VOTE of the majority of the PEOPLE of this country has NO meaning, thats what the Justices told us all today!

Posted by Kevin on Wednesday, Jun 26, 2013 4:14 PM (EDT):

Lori, it is so unfortunate that you have no idea what it means to be Catholic. Being Catholic means submitting oneself to the Church founded by the Blessed Lord himself. The example of the saints show that one cannot declare oneself to be Catholic while dissenting from the authority of the Church. To deny the authority of the Church on the matter of faith and morals is to deny Our Lord himself.

Posted by charles harmett on Wednesday, Jun 26, 2013 3:58 PM (EDT):

At some point in the future, someone is going to try to force the catholic church to conduct a gay wedding. Or some renegade clergyman will perform one. The bishops need to definitively state that they will never support gay marriage. They need to make that statement today.

Posted by Lori Mannette on Wednesday, Jun 26, 2013 2:18 PM (EDT):

Today I am proud to be an American. I am proud that Wendy Davis used the filibuster process to protect the rights of women. I am proud that the Supreme Court recognized the unconstitutionality of DOMA. I am beaming with pride that America, today, is looking a little more like what I believe it can be.

I am a Catholic. I know my faith well and I live it every day. I know my Lord and what he would want for this great nation. Reading this article does not make me proud to be a Catholic. Very little the church has done recently has made me proud to be a Catholic. I think more and more every day about leaving the church. I stopped giving any money to it a long time ago.

Your article is further proof of how removed the Church is from the true faith, from my faith, from me. I suppose you will think that it’s a good thing that a gay-loving, pro-choicer like myself feels pushed out of the faith. I suppose that’s why I should leave. It just breaks my heart to do so.

Posted by AlfromFl on Wednesday, Jun 26, 2013 2:15 PM (EDT):

Seems to me that, by redefining marriage (i.e. rejecting the traditional definition of marriage),one must accept marriage to be anything you want it to be. The same rationale used to allow same sex relationships should(equality) also accommodate other matter or multiple relationships as well. Abortionists claimed that roe vs wade would not result in large scale abortions but guess what. Now gays claim it will only level the playing field for same sex partners - really? The recent SCOTUS and BSA decisions make emotion and the “STATE” as keepers of rights regarding marriage and that does not provide a logical/principled basis for society to move forward. More trouble ahead, I’m sure.

Posted by Lee H on Wednesday, Jun 26, 2013 1:43 PM (EDT):

I live in Iowa, and the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that Iowa’s one man and one woman marriage law was unconstitutional. I feel it is time that judges stop legislating from the bench. That is not how our system was meant to work by the founding fathers of our nation. There are many things that are just plain wrong, and people need to accept that. Relativism is taking over our country.

The horror . . . the horror. Jesus wept. But when a nation casts loose from its moral anchor, there’s no telling where in the vast sea of moral relativity it may find itself. What we consider depravity, our children may accept, and our grandchildren may enthusiastically endorse.

†

Posted by Rosemarie kury on Wednesday, Jun 26, 2013 12:32 PM (EDT):

Would have loved the bishops encouraging us to pray that this amendment was upheld, but outside of a leaflet enclosed In our bulletin, as far as I know, nothing was being said about this. Isn’t this issue as important as immigration? And where were the ” nuns on the bus” protesting! We will reap what we sowed, people. Between abortion and this, the church will be persecuted even more. We can’t be silent on evil things, and we must pray for the conversion of America.

Posted by Michael Coleman on Wednesday, Jun 26, 2013 12:07 PM (EDT):

Truly the only opinions that will be chnged are the irreligious; The Lord our god has already spoken with a deafening, I am.

Posted by Larry on Wednesday, Jun 26, 2013 11:58 AM (EDT):

I say this not with any glee—God forbid!—but with terrible dread: with today’s decision, armed revolution and catastrophic civil war are looking increasingly inevitable. How shall we avoid such a fate?

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